Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 « Untold Arsenal: Arsenal News. 800,000 visits last month
By Miles Rackham
I couldn’t even be brought to think of a snazzy title for this preview, yesterday has got me down a bit, not because we were as quiet as a mouse with cats around, but because everyone seemed to spend spend spend. I am not that disappointed that we didn’t sign anyone like some fans are for two reasons.
The first is because I haven’t forgotten about a lot of our players who are returning from long term injuries. Frimpong played very well against Boca Juniors in the 2011 Emirates Cup, before going out to loan and getting badly injured. He is going to be able to replace Song in midfield, if he calms down and keeps his temperament under control. And Wilshere, obviously. look up highlight of him on youtube and you will remember how brilliant is, and also Rosicky, who we fell back in love with last season.
The second reason, is because you may say that we had a weaker team last season, and no one knows the team better than Arsene, and if he feels that the team didn’t need any new additions, or that any possible new additions prices we ridiculously high, then it may be better for us to have no news signings. We thought that we wouldn’t get Champions League last season, but we did, so in Arsene we trust.
So we had another goalless draw. One major major major positive from this is that, even though we didn’t have our first choice goalkeeper, and only one first choice centre backs, we didn’t concede against a team that have not failed to score against us in the last years.
This really does show us the impact that Steve Bould is having on the defence overall. As we have been told, he is like a new signing, which is so true. Last season we conceded a total of 49 goals, that is only a few less than Swansea, a newly promoted team. But a lot of the goals weren’t scored by three of the top four team, except for the game at Old Trafford. One from Man City, four from the spuds, and ten from Man United, so where did the other 34 goals come from? Silly defensive mistakes against lower league teams. This is something Steve Bould has seemingly helped cut out, which will help us against Liverpool and in every other game this season. A major asset in challenging for trophies.
We had some good chances against Stoke, we showed movement, and the team seemed to have a good understanding of each other, considering we have four different players in the squad (Mannone as well as the three new signings).
I believe that the team has shown some really positive signs of improving, just the three attacking new boys need to mix together a bit more, along with Walcott, Gervinho and soon too, the Ox. They also need to create an understanding with Arteta and who ever else is played in midfield.
Liverpool have not been the team to beat so far though. They were, in a word, humiliated by West Brom on the opening day of the season, but then had a good game against Man City in an attacking sense, although it ended 2-2, with both City goals due to Liverpool defensive mistakes. This is something that we can exploit and as a result would back us on FREEbets.org.uk.
Tevez was set up by the Liverpool centre back Skrtel by an awful back pass, and anyone of our players would have scored the chance, so if they do this again, we could be on to win.
I really can see us winning this game, and think that Cazorla will be able to dominate the midfield, and with the help of Arteta, and Diaby will have to keep tabs on Gerard. They don’t have that many options upfront, and indeed one of their goals against City was a freekick, so open play may not be their strongest point against us.
Liverpool will go out to win the game, but it depends of Brendan Rodgers attitude towards Arsenal; are we a team they should beat, or a team that a draw would be good against? He will know, as we do, that the fixture has a very very colourful history. From Micky Thomas grabbing the winning in 89, Arshavin scoring four at Anfield, to Eboue giving away a penalty in the 110th minute at the Emirates.
One massive boost for Arsenal is that Koscielny is returning to the squad, which is something that all Arsenal fans will have a sigh of relief about. A quality player last season, he is a major asset in defence, and has been said to be turning into the best centre back in the country, and possibly Europe.
Depending on whether or not Jenkinson will be played and if Scz is fit, I believe that the team will look something like this-
Sczcesny
Jenkinson / Koscielny Mertesaker / Koscielny Vermaelen Gibbs
Arteta Diaby
Cazorla
Oxlade – Chamberlain Giroud Podolski
I believe that the score could be a 2-0 if we are lucky, or 2-1, but if we concede a goal, it won’t really matter. I know it is going to be a tough game at Anfield, and this game could kick start our season, depending on if we get a decent result.
Come on Arsenal, and in Arsene we trust.
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